Stabilized lateral motion truck for railway cars



I Feb. 14, 1950 C, P, LEEsE 2,497,460

STABILIZED LATERAL MOTION TRUCK FOR RAILWAY `CARS Filed NOV. 6, 19.46 'SheetS-Sheet l @ese lP. LEEsE. y 2,497,460

-sflfABILIz'ED umn. -u'rIoN TRUCK Foa RAILWAY cARs 2 sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 14, 1950 Filed Nov.v v6, 1946 l,

\ y fo y 15' 17A 26a, :l l /r a 2a j 1 JNVENToR.

ars Pleeg@ Patented Feb. i4, 1950- STABILIZEDl LATERAL MOTION TRUCK FOR RAILWAY CARS charles P. Lem, oma-n1., miglior u suma- I ard Car Truck Company, Chicago, Ill., a corpof `ration o! New Jersey Application November 6. 1946, Serial No. 708,132

This invention relates to improvements in railway car trucks and has to do more especially with that type of truck wherein the bolster is so mounted as to permit limited movement thereof laterally of the truck side frames.

A principal object of the invention is to provide novel and improved arrangements for damping both the vertical and the lateral movements of the bolster relative to the side frames of the truck.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a truck of dthe above-indicated type'improved arrangements and constructions whereby the bolster may be supported at opposite ends on rollers forY movement transversely of the truck -slde frames and in which friction wedges are interposed between the bolster and the truck side frames so as to move with the bolster and press against the side frame. f

Another object is to provide, in a truck of the above type having roller means for supporting the opposite ends of the bolster, improved arrangements and constructions whereby spring pressed friction wedges may be interposed between the bolster and adjacent portions of the truck side frame for damping the vertical oscillatory movements of the bolster.

Another object is to provide in a lateral motion truck of the above construction in which the wedges engage inclined wedging face'sof the bolster and cooperate with stabilizing springs whereby the drag of the shoe as an incident to the resilient pressure exerted thereon increases the frictional function of the shoe when the 4bolster moves in one direction. l

A further robject contemplated by the invention is the provision of arrangements whereby the re- 'silient force exerted on the friction wedges may be either constant or may progressively increase in relation to the extent of movement ofthe bolster.

The invention is illustrated in two specific embodiments in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view, mainly in side elevation, but partly in section, of a railway car truck embodying one form of the invention.

8 Claim.. 4 `(Cl. 105-186) illustrating a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view taken at line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the truck construction therein illustrated comprises a pair of cast steel frames I0, of which one only is shown. Each frame is of truss construction, having a top chord or compression member II and a bottom chord or tension member I2. At each extremity of each frame I0 there isv formed a journai box I3. One of the truck wheels is outlined in dot-dash lines a I4.

lInterconnecting upper and lower frame members lII and I2 are two columnsv I5 and I6, respectively, constituting integral parts of the frame casting; and these are spaced apart horizontally to provide a window opening I1, of approximately Y rectangular form, through which the bolster I8 extends.

The bolster I8 is preferably of box-like crosssection and rests at each end on a plurality of hardened steel rollers I9 which operate in pockets 20 formed kin the bottom surface of the bolster as shown in Fig. 2. The said rollers I9 are seated in similar recesses 2| formed in the top surface of a bearing plate 22, the latter of which is supported on a group of heavy coil springs 23. The lower ends of the load springs 23 rest on a spring centering plate 24 which, in turn, is mounted on the upper surface 25 of the lower chord I2 of the frame I0.

Each end of the bolster ls provided with a recess at either side, which is deiined by inclined walls 26 having outer inclined surfaces 21; and each recess is proportioned to -receive a triangular wedge member 28 having an inclined surface complementary to surface 21 and engaged therewith. The vertical outer face 29 of each wedge bears against the adjacent surface of a wearing plate 30 which is welded or otherwise secured to the inner face of its associated columns I5 or I6. Each wedge i's retained in its recess by a cotter pin 29a and is supported individually on a resilient element, preferably a spring 3| which seats on the lower chord ofthe truck side frame. The lower end of each spring 3| is provided with a hemispherical adapter 32 by means of which it is pivotally seated infa complementary hemispherical cup 33 formed in the spring centering plate 24. The stabilizing springs 3I--3I at each end of the bolster pass through oval-shaped openings 34-34 as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings a'nd are centered at their upper ends by means of bcss 39-39 forming integral parts of 'wedges 28-28and projecting downwardly xtherefrom into the bore of the springs.

By virtue of the ball-and-socket support at the lower end of each spring 3|-3I, the latter are free to rock pivotally about their lower ends in response to movements of the bolster laterally of the truck and thereby avoid undue lateral bending vof the springs. The wedgesl move with the bolster during its vertical movements relative to the side frames-ofthe truck and during the movements of the bolster on the rollers I9 in directions laterally of the side frames. Consequently, the pressure exerted by the springs 3 |-3I against the wedges 28-28 force the wedges against the Wearing surfaces 30-30 of the truck frames. This wedging pressure provides friction which, 'in addition to damping the vertical movements of the bolster relative to the side frames of the truck, also resist lengthwise movement of the bolster laterally of the side frames of the truck.

It will be observed that the compression of. springs 3l-3I during the downward movement of the bolster, progressively increases the frictional pressure of the Wedges against the .inner faces of the columns |5vand I8 of the truck side frames.

The movement of the bolster transversely of the side frames in addition to being restrained bythe frictional bearing of the wedges 28-28 against the wearing plates 30-30, is limited by abutment lugs Ill-40 at opposite ends ofthe bolster adapted to engage. inner faces of the truckv frames. The forward and rear edges of the roller supporting plate 22 are formedy with spaced lugs 4|-42 and 43-44 which t over the side facesof the vertical columns l5 and I6, respectively, as

shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In order to simplify the installation of the said bearing plate 22, the lower portion 45 of the bolster Window l1 is made somewhat wider than the upper portion so that the plate may be positioned horizontally between the columns in the widened portion 45 of the window and then moved vertically to its operation position.

The side frames l are held in proper relation to each other by means of a tie-bar 46 which engages the inner portion of the lower chord of each frame member.. The particular form of tiebar 45 forms no part of the present invention, since this element is disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application 616,238, filed September 14, 1945. However. the bolt 41 of the tie-bar structure, together with studs 48 which project upwardly through openings formed in the spring centering plate 24, function to hold the said centering plate in its applied position.

In the modified or alternative construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the stabilizl ig springs 3 |-3| are replaced with two. short springs 49-49 of smaller diameter. Each end of each said springs 49-49 is provided with hernispherical adapters 50 and 5|, the upper adapter 50 being seated in a hemispherical socket formed in the bottom of the associated Wedge 28a while the lower adapter is seated in the hemispherically shaped bottom of an elongated, pocket 52 formed in the bearing plate 22a.

vIn the modified embodiment the coil springs lil-49A supporting the friction wedges 28a function at all times to press the latter upwardly into firm contact with the inclined surface 21 of the bolster, thus causing the wedges to be forced outwardly against the adjacent Wearing plates 30. Each downward movement of the bolster causes a corresponding downward movement of the wedges but the force exerted by the wedges Zla remains substantially constant since the springs 49-49 move downwardly with the bolster and the bearing plate 22a. However, there lis an increase in the friction exerted during the downward movement of the bolster because of the in' A creased drag of the wedges on the faces of the columns |5--I6 of the side frame as 'an incident to the resilient pressure exerted by the springs 49-49 and the co-acting wedging of the inclined faces of the wedges 28a and the inclined faces tions of its opposite faces; means for supporting said bolster in the window for movement laterally of the side frame; wedge members positioned in said recesses for frictionallyengaging the said portions of the side faces of the bolster and adjacent portions of the frame; and resilient means interposed between the wedge members and a supporting structure for forcing the wedges into said frictional engagement with said portions of the side faces of the bolster and said adjacent facesof the frame; the said spring supporting structure including means providing rocker bearings for the resilient means to permit the resilient means to move to angular positions in response to the movements of the bolster laterally of the frame.

2. In a railway car truck, aside frame having a bolster window therein; a bolster extending through said window and having recesses in its opposite faces; means for supporting the bolster within said window for movement laterally of the side frame; wedge members positioned in said recesses for frictionally engaging the inner faces of the recesses and adjacent faces of the frame; and coil springs interposed between the wedge members and a supporting structure for forcing the wedges into frictional engagement with said inner faces of the recesses and said adjacent faces of the frame; the said spring supporting structure including means providing a rocker bearing at the lower ends of said springs, whereby the springs assume angular positions in response to movements of the bolster laterally of the frame.

3. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a bolster window therein; a bolster extending through said Window and having recesses in portions of its opposite side faces; means for supporting a bolster for movement laterally of the side frame comprising a roller bearing plate disposed within the window beneath an end portion of the bolster, rollers interposed between the bearing plate and the bolster, and resilient means supporting said bearing plate; wedge members positioned in said recesses clear` of said rollers at locations above said roller bearing plate and frictionally engaging the said recessed portions of the side faces of the bolster and adjacent surfaces of the frame; and resilient means interposed between and engaging the wedge members and the frame for forcing the wedge members into frictional engagement with said recessed portions of the side faces of the bolster and the adjacent surfaces of the lframe.

4. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a bolster window therein; a bolster extending through said window and having recesses inporfaces of the frame;

5 means for supporting the bolster for movement laterally of the side frame comprising a bearing plate disposed within the window below the bolster, rollers interposed between the plate and the bolster, a plurality of load springs for lsupporting the plate; wedge members positioned in said recesses at locations above s'aid bearing plate and having inclined surfaces engaging the inclined inner faces of said recesses; springs interposed between the wedges and another portion of the truck for forcing thel wedge member into frictional engagement with the said inclined inner faces of the recesses and adjacent faces of the frame; and means pro viding a rocker bearing for said springs whereby the springs assume angular positionsv to compensate for the movements of the bolster laterally of the side frame.

' 5. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a bolster window therein; a bolster extending through said window and formed with recesses in portions of its opposite side faces and formed with inclined inner walls; a bearing plaie disposed within said window beneath an end portion of said bolster; a rollerA bearing resting on said plate and supporting said bolster; a plurality of coil springs positioned in said bolster window` for supporting said bearing plate; wedge mem- 'bers located above said bearingv plate having inclined surfaces for engaging said inclined walls of the recesses, said wedge members having vertical surfaces frictionally engaging-wearing surfaces on vertical faces of said window, and anxiliary coil springs supporting said' wedge members, means providing rocker bearings for the lower ends of said auxiliary springs. whereby these springs are pivotally supported'to permit them to rock about to horizontal movements of said wedge members and bolster. 6. In a railway car truck, aside frame having an upper chord and a lower chord spaced apart vertically, anda paii of vertical columns spaced horizontally and united with said chords, said chords and columns defining a windowopening, I

a bolster having one end disposed within said window opening. a roller bearing plate formed with spaced openings therein and disposed withing said window opening and underlying said end of the bolster, a roller bearing interposed between the plate and the bolster, a plurality of coil springs within said window and resting on said lower chord, said bearing plate resting on the upper ends of said springs and supported thereby, a pair of wedges positioned between portions of the side faces of said bolster and the adjacent faces of said vertical columns. said portions of the side faces of the bolster being recessed to receive said wedges and are inclined for engaging correspondingly inclined surfaces on said wedges, and a pair of auxiliary coil springs each resting at one end on said lower chord and extending upwardly therefrom throughanopeninginsaidbearingplsteand pressing upwardly against said wedges.

7.Inarsilwsycartruck.ssiderramehaving posed within said window opening,

their lower4 ends in responso 40 a pair of pockets in each of which one of said l0 The following references are of record in the Number Name Date 66 1,894,385 Webb Jan. 17, 1933 1,894,386 Webb Jan. 17, i933 2,009,770 Goodwin July 30, 1935 2,053,991 Goodwin Sept. 8, i936 2,129,408 Davidson sept. 6, 1938 so 2,169,715 Webb Aug. 15, 1939 2,346,860 Mohl Apr. 18, 1944 2,393,426 Shafer Jan. 22, 1946 2,406,199 Ciasen Aug. 20, 1946 2,407,950 Cottrell sept. 17, 1946 2.435.385 Couch res, s, 194s bearing plate and the sides of said bolster and seated in recesses a window opening, a bolster having one end disposed within said window opening, a pair of wedges situated within said window at the sides of said bolster, each wedge having an inclined surface in frictional engagement with a complementarily inclined surface on said bolster, each wedge having a vertical surface in frictional engagement with a stationary wearing plate, a roller bearing plate underlying said bolster and said wedges within said window opening, roller means mounted on said roller supporting said bolster for movement laterally of the side frame-and said roller bearing plate, a plurality of coil springs located within said window opening belgw said roller bearing plate for supporting the bearing plate and bolster, and a pair of auxiliary coil springs underlyingand supporting said wedges and being themselves supported on said roller bearing plate.

8. In a railway car truck, a side frame having a window opening, a bolster having one end disa pair of wedges situated within said window opening at formed in said bolster, each wedge having an inclined surface in frictional engagement with a complementary inclined surface on said bol'- ster, and each wedge having a vertical surface in"`frictional engagement with a vertical face 0f an adjacent portion of the frame, a roller bearing plate underlying said bolster and said wedges within said window opening, roller `means carried by said roller bearing plate and supporting said bolster for movement laterally of the side frame and said roller bearing plate, coil spring means supporting said roller bearing plate, a pair of auxiliary coil springs each supporting one of said wedges; the said'roller bearing plate having auxiliary springs is seated, and means providing rocker bearings for the lower ends of said auxiliary coil springs, to permit these springs to rock about their lower ends in response to movement of the wedges and bolster laterally of the roller bearing plate. v

' CHARLES P..LEESE.

REFERENCES CITED file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

